Division of Family & Children's Services

Mississippi Centralized Intake

1-800-222-8000 | (601) 432-4570
Reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation in the State of Mississippi
www.msabusehotline.com

Abuse Is:

• Emotional/Verbal Abuse is anything said or done that is hurtful or threatening to a child and is the most difficult form of maltreatment to identify:
• Name calling, "You're stupid"
• Belittling, "I wish you were never born"
• Destroying child's possessions or pets
• Threatens to harm child or people they care about, "I'm going to choke you” or “I'll break your arm”
• Locking a child in a closet or box
• Rejecting a child
• Isolating a child
• Sexual Abuse is any inappropriate touching by a friend, family member, anyone having on-going contact and/or a stranger such as:
• Touching a child’s genital area
• Any type of penetration of a child
• Allowing a child to view or participate in pornography
• Prostitution, selling your child for money, drugs, etc.
• Forcing a child to perform oral sex acts
• Masturbating in front of a child
• Having sex in front of a child
• Physical Abuse is any type of contact that results in bodily harm such as bruising, abrasions, broken bones, internal injuries, burning, missing teeth and skeletal injuries:
• Hitting or slapping a child with an extension cord, hands, belts, fists, broom handles, brushes, etc.
• Putting child into hot water
• Cutting the child with a knife or any other sharp object
• Shaking or twisting arms or legs, yanking a child by the arm
• Putting tape over a child's mouth
• Tying a child up with rope or cord
• Throwing a child across a room or down the stairs
• Neglect means not meeting the basic needs of the child and is the most common form of maltreatment:
• Medical - not giving a child life-sustaining medicines, overmedicating, not obtaining special treatment devices deemed necessary by a physician
• Supervision - leaving child/children unattended and leaving child/children in the care of other children too young to protect them (depending upon the maturity of the child)
• Clothing and good hygiene - dressing children inadequately for weather, persistent skin disorders resulting from improper hygiene
• Nutrition - lack of sufficient quantity or quality of food, letting a child consistently complain of hunger and allowing the child to rummage for food
• Shelter - having structurally unsafe housing, inadequate heating, and unsanitary housing conditions

Top Ten Alternatives to Lashing Out at Your Child

• Put your hands over your mouth and count to 10. Or better yet, 20.
• Stop and take three deep breaths.
• Call a parent and/or friend.
• Take a brisk walk to let off steam while someone responsible watches your child.
• Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.
• Pick up a pencil and write down your thoughts.
• Stop and think about something positive your child has done or said lately.
• Turn on the radio or television.
• Hug a pillow.
• Call for prevention information: 1-800-222-8000.

Contact Information

Mississippi Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children's Services
Administration/Prevention Unit
1-800-345-6347 | (601) 359-4255